Beech Blight Aphid at Pump Station Trail

More flowers along Blue Ridge Parkway

Trillium, Bloodroot, Bear corn and an emerging fern. Between mile markers 320-321, near Chestoa View. Photos taken on May 13.

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) along Blue Ridge Parkway

I returned to my favorite spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway to see this year's trillium. They were in full bloom on May 13. Found between mile marker 320-321, near Chestoa View parking lot.

Trillium along Blue Ridge Parkway

I returned to the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Chestoa View, to see this year's burst of Trillium. I got there a little too early this year (May 2), but still found a few that were in bloom.

Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides) at Balsam Mountain Campground

This was abundant along the 1/2 mile nature trail just off the campground.  Called "hobblebush" because the shrub re-roots where it makes contact with the ground thus "hobbling" people who come across it.

From 2012-06-15

From 2012-06-15

Intermediate woodfern (?) (Dryopteris intermedia) at Balsam Mountain Campground

This fern was abundant along the gorgeous 1/2 mile nature trail at the Balsam Mountain Campground.  My husband and I camped there two nights. I'm starting to learn more about the fascinating fern family and am enjoying names such as "sensitive" fern, "intermediate" fern, "walking" fern and "marginal" fern.

From 2012-06-15

From 2012-06-15

Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) near Little Switzerland.

Also known as Wood Betony or Beefsteak (!)  Plant.  Photographed on May 12.  It took me awhile to figure out what this was.  If you click on the name of the post "Lousewort" above, the link includes a lot of information about this "hemiparasitic" plant. It's called "lousewort" because people used to think that cattle would become infested with lice upon brushing up against it.

From 2012-05-12

From 2012-05-12

From 2012-05-12

Spiderwort (Tradescantia subaspera)

In the backyard of my dad and stepmom's mountain house in Seven Devils, NC.

Fringed Phacelia (Phacelia fimbriata)

This is in the backyard of my dad and stepmom's place in Seven Devils.

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) near Crabtree Falls (Little Switzerland)

I'm assuming that these are old ones, from last year.

Maple-leaf vibernum (Vibernum acerifolium) near Crabtree Falls (Little Switzerland)

 May 12.

Wood-sorrel (Oxalis montana) near Crabtree Falls (Little Switzerland)

 May 12.

Canadian Violet (Viola canadensis) near Crabtree Falls (Little Switzerland)

Resurrection fern (?) near Crabtree Falls (Little Switzerland)

Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens)

From 2012-05-12

May 12. Basal leaves.

Galax (Galax urceolata) near Crabtree Falls (Little Switzerland)

From 2012-05-12

From 2012-05-12

May 12. This is such a gorgeous plant. I love the shiny green leaves.

Dwarf-Crested Iris (Iris cristata) near Crabtree Falls (Little Switzerland)

Bellwort (Uvularia perfoliata) near Crabtree Falls (Little Switzerland)

I think perfoliata is the right species, but am not positive.

Unknown plant near Crabtree Falls (Little Switzerland)

From 2012-05-12

Solomon's Plume (Maianthemum racemosum) near Crabtree Falls (Little Switzerland)

I always love seeing this plant, especially its deeply-veined leaves.